Features

Christopher Harris | November 18, 2013 - 11:08 pm

Share < br />this article:

Chart-topping producer DJ Mustard didn’t directly speak to Jay Z about officially joining to Roc Nation, but he says that becoming a member of the full-service entertainment company is still a blessing.

He’s quick to name drop the A-list artists that the agency boasts on a phone call with VIBE. “Rihanna, Rita Ora, J.Cole,” he mentions. “It was just like, why not? They let me do what I want and they don’t over-control my projects.”

Mustard’s mug can be seen brandished across Rocnation.com and his own site DJMustardonthebeat.com, where he’s proudly throwing up the infamous diamond sign. He joins hit-makers Timbaland, No I.D. and Jahlil Beats on the roster and can’t wait to work with the artists associated.

His longtime friend and West Coast counterpart YG has also reached commercial success and plans to release his debut album My Krazy Life on Def Jam in 2014. Mustard says he produced 90% of the project, which is the culmination of a partnership dating back to YG’s 2010 output, The Real 4Fingaz.

Mustard produced the album’s lead single “My Nigga,” a hard-hitting posse cut that features guest verses from Rich Homie Quan and Young Jeezy. While “My Nigga” climbs the Billboard charts, Mustard is especially excited about an unreleased song on the album with Drake.

“It’s going to go nuts. It’s definitely for the ladies,” he admits. “When I made the beat, Jeezy was like, ‘That’s the one.’ I was like, ‘You’re right,’ and YG felt like it was [the one] also. Then he sent it to Drake, Drake sent it back and it’s history.”

“Rack City” and Mustard’s additional trademark “ratchet” tunes not only represent the West Coast at the moment, they represent the times. Reaching the million mark in sales represents influence, so it’s easy for 23-year-old DJ Mustard to shrug off the fact that he didn’t receive a personal call from Jay Z to solidify the deal.

“I know in order for me to sign, he had to approve it,” he says. “I’m good.” –Christopher Harris